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Moore named Wallaby skipper

Stephen Moore will captain Australia in 2015 after being selected to lead the Wallabies by Michael Cheika.

The veteran hooker led the team in 2014 only to suffer a serious knee injury in his first game as captain against France.

He will be supported by Michael Hooper, his successor last season, and Test centurion Adam Ashley-Cooper, who have both been named as vice-captains.

Australia coach Cheika said: "Having spoken to the two vice-captains prior to Stephen, both of them couldn’t have made a higher endorsement of Stephen to the lead them personally, this playing group and our country.

"Leadership is going to be a massive part of this journey, and both Adam and Michael will have a big part to play in supporting Stephen.

"Stephen is not only a player who leads by example on the field, but he is a man who exemplifies the qualities of a Wallabies captain and it is a testament to his character that he has been able to overcome a setback and put himself in a position to lead his country again.

"He has a tremendous amount of respect not only from within this playing group, but across the board in our organisation and universally within the game."

The Australian captaincy has been something of a poisoned chalice in recent seasons, with Moore's injury following similar misfortune for David Pocock and Will Genia in recent seasons.

Now in his 11th season of International Rugby, Moore is the current Brumbies skipper and became Australia’s 81st Test captain when he led the team out in the opening Test against France in June last year.

Moore said: "It’s an honour every time you get to wear the Wallabies jumper, and to be captain is extra special, but ultimately it’s what you do with it that is most important.

"It was extremely humbling to have the opportunity last year but it went very quickly, so to be given another chance to represent this group that has so many leaders is a privilege, and something I hold dearly.

"Australian Rugby is lucky to have many good leaders in this team who lead by actions and we have already spent some quality time together, defining our identity, what we are about and what we stand for.

"I’m really excited about what we can achieve in the next four months. It is a very special opportunity for all of us, and it starts in Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on July 18 against the Springboks."